House Republicans voted today along party lines to continue major subsidies to Big Oil, even as they gut programs that Americans depend on every day.
As the House of Representatives moved toward approving a temporary measure to avert a government shutdown, at least for another two weeks, Democrats put on the table a motion that would have sliced from the five largest oil companies taxpayer subsidies, bringing about tens of billions of dollars in savings.
However, the motion failed on a vote of 176-249, with all Republicans voting against the motion; they were joined by a dozen Democrats.
In a similar vote two weeks ago to recoup $53 billion in taxpayer funds from big oil companies, this too was also voted down, in large measure along party lines.
Former CEO of Shell Oil, John Hoffmeister, recently said Big Oil doesn’t need subsidies “in face of sustained high oil prices.”
Between 2005 to 2009, the largest oil companies realized a combined profit of $485 billion.
By Josh Dorner
thinkprogress.org
